Part 13 (2/2)
The wolf scratched at his neck. ”Kepler is an undead creature. He lives in a place called Skeleton Pa.s.s, which he has ruled for as long as I can remember. He has an army of skeleton warriors that patrol his territory, killing every being who trespa.s.ses.”
Sam held up his hand. ”Okay, okay. Hold on a moment. You're telling me that he's undead?”
”Yes.”
”Yeah, right. Anyway ... how did Kepler kill your wife, and why?”
”I don't believe Kepler had a reason to kill her. She was simply in the way and suffered because of it. My wife was delivering a message to the Unicorn Prince, Ultonen, who lived within the Dark Forest. I would've gone with her, but I was detained. Ba.s.sorine had a task that required my attention.
”Before I tell you how she pa.s.sed, let me tell you this. The horn of a unicorn has marvelous properties, even if separated from the rest of the creature. The horn can be used to aid anyone who possesses it. Aside from the healing power to cure most any ailment, all poisonous plants or animals burst and die in the presence of the horn. When held near anything poisonous, the horn sweats, giving a warning of danger to the holder. The horn of the prince was especially powerful. This was Kepler's objective.”
”Really?” Sam interrupted, again. ”Sounds unreal, but for argument's sake, why would Kepler want the horn? Can poison harm an undead creature?”
”I a.s.sure you this is real, and no, Kepler cannot be harmed by poison. He was hired by the Barbarian King in the city of Bloodvain to hunt the Unicorn Prince. Kepler was told if he retrieved the horn, the king would stop sending his legions through Skeleton Pa.s.s when invading the Kingdom of Brandor.”
The wolf began pacing, becoming more agitated as he continued his story. ”Luvera was standing in front of the prince, delivering Keylom's message, when the attack occurred. The Unicorn Prince was bowing in appreciation when Kepler made his move from the shadows. He rushed from the darkness and knocked my wife onto Ultonen's horn, impaling her through the heart. I was told she pa.s.sed instantly, and her eyes closed forever before she hit the ground. She was unable to manage even the smallest howl or yelp.”
”That's terrible!” Sam exclaimed. ”I'm sorry for your pain. Is there anything I can do?”
Mosley looked at Sam and forced a smile. ”It has been 100 seasons, and as I have said, there's nothing that can be done. Her soul is in a good place. I'm sure Keylom saw to that.”
Sam knew exactly where Luvera's soul was, or at least where it was said to be. It was within the pages of the Book of Immortality, supposedly waiting for her chance to be reborn-but he said nothing to Mosley. It was clear the wolf did not know where souls were kept after they perished.
Sam's mind began churning. ”The Barbarian King must have had a reason to go after the horn ... something more than detecting poison. Any of his subjects could have tested his food.”
”The murder of the prince served three purposes,” Mosley replied. ”He wanted the horn for its healing properties, and further, he wanted to show the unicorns they were vulnerable. They would learn that even with their magic, they could not stop him from killing their prince. The murder sent a clear message that the Barbarian King was to be feared. He intended for all unicorns to serve him ... and to this day, the unicorns remain loyal to the king's house.”
Mosley paused. He stared at his tail as he dealt with the pain the retelling of the story caused. After a moment, he curled up and gnawed at its tip, speaking between snips. ”I can understand the king's desire to rule. I was the leader of my own pack for many seasons and commanded three territories, so his desire to dominate is not foreign to me.”
”Okay, okay. I can also understand the king's mind. Many men want absolute power.”
”Yes, but there is more to tell,” Mosley inserted. ”I haven't spoken of the effect the horn had on the king ... an unexpected effect. The barbarian desired the horn for its healing properties, as you know. But it wasn't until much later that he realized he was receiving the benefit of an extended life.”
”That's medically impossible,” Sam scoffed.
Mosley lifted his hind leg and scratched at his neck again. ”Sam, your dull eyes are still focusing on the truths of your old homeworld. The packs here know a different truth. You must remember to open your mind. Many beasts living on the worlds governed by the Crystal Moon are magical. That said, the Barbarian King's life was extended because of a magical benefit ... not a medical one.”
Sam struggled to wrap his mind around the thought. ”How can this be true?”
”I speak fact, Sam. Do you doubt my sincerity?”
”No,” Sam reb.u.t.ted. ”It's not that I doubt you.” He put his hands on top of his head and pulled his hair. ”Okay, okay. Let's just say, for argument's sake, that everything you've said is true. If the Barbarian King had known about this benefit, he would've gone after the horn for that reason alone. How long will he live?”
Mosley paused long enough to sneeze. ”The barbarians are an aggressive race. They fight amongst themselves for amus.e.m.e.nt and sport. When the king fought and was injured, he would use the horn. Once the barbarian understood the healings were making him stronger and younger, he intentionally hurt himself. He often retired to his chambers to secretly invoke the power of the horn. It's not widely known how often he used it. In fact, only the G.o.ds and the king's closest advisors knew the truth.”
”No way! Okay, okay. How on Earth...?” Sam paused. ”I mean ... how on Grayham could a secret this big be kept from the world? The man is outliving his subjects. Don't any of his advisors desire this benefit for themselves?”
”Of course they did, but the Barbarian King was influential, and he ruled through fear. He was careful not to allow the world to know. To ease his subjects' minds, the king told them he had found a spring, and its water granted long life. He also told them the spring dried up when he revisited to collect more for his grandcubs. I would not know this if it was not for Ba.s.sorine. Ba.s.sorine watched from Heaven as the king used the horn again and again. I was told the G.o.ds were displeased, but they don't take away the free will of man or beast.”
Sam felt pity for Mosley, thinking, He doesn't know there's not a Heaven. He sighed. ”This free will c.r.a.p can cause problems. What's this Barbarian King's name anyway?”
Mosley growled ”Sam, have you not been listening? I have been speaking about the past. You must pay attention. The king's name was Bude Bloodvain. He recently pa.s.sed. It seems the benefit of the horn does not stop the aging process completely. His great-great-great-grandcub, Senchae Bloodvain, has taken the throne.
”Bude pa.s.sed the secret of the horn's benefit to Senchae before he perished. The only thing worse than the new king's use of the horn, is that Senchae has been the Barbarian Champion for the last 15 seasons. He's the strongest and best warrior the Barbarian Kingdom has ever seen. The barbarians fight to the death when entering their arenas. The fact that Senchae Bloodvain is still alive should give you an idea of what kind of warrior he is to survive in such a hostile den.”
Sam walked across the room and looked out the window. A group of small children were taking turns at tossing a small wooden hoop, attached to a string, in an arching motion. It was their goal to throw the hoop onto a metal spike that protruded from a wooden post. It was a simple game, and the joy on their faces warmed his heart.
Sam turned away from the window to find Mosley sniffing the hearth of the fireplace. ”This Senchae guy sounds intense. He's someone I can relate to. I love to fight. I just won my first fight before I-”
Mosley did not let Sam finish. ”I wouldn't get excited about challenging this man's ability. Allow me to explain how the barbarians fight in their arenas. They are a vain race, vain to the point of stupidity. All barbarian kings throughout history have kept an open invitation with the humans of Grayham to fight their champion in the king's arena in hand-to-hand combat. Any human who can beat the barbarian champion, without weapons, wearing only a cloth to cover his loins, will be rewarded with a chance to fight the king for his crown. If he defeats the king, all barbarians will bow and live in service to that human. Many have attempted, for the power they would wield would be immense, but they have all failed and perished. The current barbarian champion, since Senchae Bloodvain's ascension to the throne, is Churnach Fergus. In order to fight the kingdom's best, who is undoubtedly Senchae, you would first need to kill Fergus.
”Bloodvain is a nightmare. His sheer size intimidates any being. He would tower over you, and his physique is far more defined than yours, Sam. He's well-known within the kingdom for his ability to fight for long periods without tiring. The king trains with angered bulls to keep in shape. He strikes the bull, causing the beast to charge, then meets the creature head on as it slams into him, and then he wrestles it to the ground. He does this over and over while striking the bull with his fists. Eventually, the beast hits the ground exhausted and unable to continue.
”Before Senchae became king, he would serve the meat from the bulls to the leaders of his grandfather's army as a gesture of respect. They admired, revered and respected him in return. Now that he's the leader of this bloodthirsty pack, Senchae is loved by his army and does not need to rule by fear, for they are loyal. He is loved, and his control over his kingdom is stronger than his grandfather's reign ever was.”
Sam was impressed, but he still looked for a solution. ”In my experience, a big man is also a slow man. I bet if a man was fast enough, he could defeat him.”
Mosley laughed as he leapt onto the bed. ”I have not finished telling you about Senchae's training. Fighting this single bull is a warm-up. Do you think you could defeat three bulls during the same moments, Sam? Because that is what the king does to improve his agility and speed.”
Sam flopped onto the bed. ”Okay, okay. I'm sold. This guy is a champion. How am I going to achieve fame? I'm pretty tough, but it's going to be impossible to gain an audience with the people in power if I can't defeat a monster barbarian and live to tell about it. I'm a hundred percent sure that this guy would kick my can.”
Mosley stood from the bed and bounded to the floor. ”I have suggestions, but it will take everything in you to attain the glory you need to speak with kings. You must work tirelessly if you're to become the leader of the packs of Brandor.”
Sam's eyes widened as the reality hit him. ”So it's true? I'm to become a leader?” His question was filled with trepidation.
Mosley shook his head in disbelief. ”Sam, for someone so intelligent, you don't show it. Did Ba.s.sorine not explain that it is the desire of the G.o.ds for you to build an empire on Grayham? Do you not want to be the leader of such a pack? Are you frightened? Does your fur not stand on end when faced with the challenge of saving worlds? Perhaps you should tell Ba.s.sorine you fall short of the G.o.ds' expectations. I cannot help someone who doesn't possess a strong heart.”
”Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold on a second. So what if I am scared? I still have heart.” Sam stood from the chair and walked back to the window. ”It's not like I have anything to go home to.” He turned from the window and spoke with greater resolution in his voice, ”If I don't do something, who will? I understand what's involved.” Sam sat on the sill and crossed his arms. ”I'm the man for the job, so where do I start?”
The wolf liked the change in Sam's demeanor. ”You'll be a fine leader, Sam. Your eyes are filled with conviction. However, my stomach is empty. We should eat before your training begins.”
Mosley led Sam to breakfast.
After the over-sized wench sat the food on the table, the wolf sniffed at Sam's greggled eggs and then sat on his haunches on the wooden chair. A plate of rare corgan strips was set in front of him. ”I have sent Shalee to begin her enlightenment with her staff. Her growth should be captivating to watch. Your training, however, will be much different.
” Angels Village is perfect for your first battle. When you're ready, we'll introduce you to the sand that covers the arena floor. Hopefully, your victories will allow us to make the coin necessary to keep ourselves fed and warm at night.”
Mosley smiled and winked. ”I know how important it is for Shalee to have a comfortable den to lie in.”
Sam's voice was filled with anxiety. ”I thought you said they fought to the death inside the arena...”
Well, fellow soul ... there's more to Sam than meets the eye. I'm dying to tell you everything I know, but all things intriguing are best left for later moments. Even though you can't see it, I just stuck my soulful tongue out at you. Ha, ha!
GEORGE is still sleeping just east of the Enchanted Forest on the bank of the Cripple River. Not much else to report here.
LASIDIOUS & CELESTRIA are together in their home on Ancients Sovereign. They are working out the details of a few plans before Celestria leaves for the world of Luvelles. There, she will spend the remainder of her pregnancy.
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